Health Benefits of Thyme
Thyme is a genus in the mint family Lamiaceae. It includes more than 350 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants with culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses. Thyme is native from the coastal areas of the Mediterranean to Iran. Today it is found worldwide in warm-climate regions.
Boiled thyme recipes can be prepared as a side dish or an appetizer. Boiling helps release the flavor of thyme leaves by breaking down fatty acids and intensifying aroma compounds so that they spread throughout food during boiling.
The key to cooking tasty dishes with boiled thyme leaves is not to overcook them because this would destroy essential oils responsible for their characteristic smell and taste.
Eating thyme has numerous benefits. Thymol is a phenolic compound produced by some species of the thyme genus and it is one of the most abundant secondary metabolites in many aromatic plants, such as common thyme, oregano, celery seeds, etc. It has antiseptic properties that help destroy harmful bacteria and fungi found in foods while at the same time preserving them from spoiling.
Thyme comprises a high percentage of volatile components with potent antimicrobial properties which make it an effective agent against bacterial pathogens implicated in food-borne diseases.
A study published in 2003 on common thyme ( Thymus vulgaris ) showed that its major phenolic components had antioxidant activity comparable or superior to those displayed by BHT
Boiled thyme and health:
There is compelling evidence that essential oils of thyme can be used as an effective defense against various diseases. These compounds have been studied for their antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities along with their potential to reduce inflammation and prevent the development of cancer cells.
Another recent study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory properties of thymol which might help counteract uncontrolled cell proliferation and subsequent development of tumors. This research suggests that thymol is a promising candidate compound for preventing and treating cancer.
In addition to all those beneficial effects on health, boiled thyme leaves have a rich aroma and taste that makes them an excellent addition to the diet. In the Mediterranean region thyme is used in cooking seafood dishes but it can also be added to meat, stews, soups, vegetables, and salads. Boiled thyme leaves are typically used for making herbal tea.
In traditional folk medicine boiled thyme leaves were used to promote relaxation and sleep These calming qualities make this herb a good choice for tea before going to bed. It has a sedative effect on humans mainly because of thymol content which might constitute a potential therapeutic agent to induce sleep, according to a study published in 2007 by an Indian research group. Research conducted in 2010 confirms these findings demonstrating the significant ability of thymol to reduce anxiety levels in healthy volunteers.
Boiled thyme recipes:
Boiled beef with thyme, also known as pastırma, is a traditional Turkish dish prepared by marinating raw beef cuts in salt and different spices for several days. The meat is hung down to drain the blood after which it’s boiled for dozens of hours until reaching a dark brown color.
It can be thinly or thickly sliced depending on personal taste. Being roasted over charcoal gives this traditional dried meat an incomparable smoked flavor that makes it so popular among food lovers around the world. Sliced boiled beef with thyme goes well with pickles, garlic sauce, lemon juice, tomato paste or hot pepper flakes.
* Grilled red bell pepper stuffed with thyme leaves is another simple yet delicious recipe. Bell peppers are simply cut in half, de-seeded, and cooked over charcoal until reaching a soft consistency.
Meanwhile, thymol flavored boiled thyme leaves are mixed with almonds, garlic slices, grated white cheese, and bread crumbs. Once the bell peppers have cooled down they can be filled up with this mixture which should then be drizzled with olive oil before being grilled again for few minutes.
Lemon lamb shanks, or shish Barak, is one of the most popular Lebanese dishes prepared by slow-cooking meat on low heat for several hours to allow fat-melting together with all its juices thus creating an exquisite sauce that enhances the flavor of the meat itself.
In this case, lamb shank is stuffed with thyme sprigs before being wrapped in a thin band of aluminum foil and cooked over charcoal. This recipe usually includes plenty of garlic, salt, lemon juice, and onions sliced in large pieces to create a soup-like sauce which makes it simply irresistible!
As mentioned above boiled thyme leaves can be used as an ingredient for dressing salads or meat dishes. They are widely used to flavor olive oil from the Mediterranean region because thyme grows wild all around that area.
Olive oil enhances the taste of boiled thyme leaves when they’re added to fish stews prepared with tomatoes, cayenne pepper, and black olives. Thymol encourages digestion so it’s often combined with caraway seeds to flavor vegetables, stews, and soups.
The boiled thyme recipe that is used as a remedy against the common cold is popular in the southern part of Europe although it’s not known exactly how long it has been used as such by local populations. In this case, boiled thyme leaves are mixed with honey and consumed as syrup before going to sleep.
A decoction made from thyme is traditionally used for treating sore throat and coughs while buds, flowers, and thymol extracted from the herb are useful for reducing muscle spasms, treating flatulence, or diuretic purposes.
thyme health side effects:
Generic Name: thyme, but it’s also known as garden thyme, wild thyme, Mother of Thyme, and Canada.
Thyme is native to the eastern Mediterranean region and the Middle East but is now grown worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions. It has a strong flavor with hints of mint, lemon, pine needles, and eucalyptus. Thyme contains thymol (a known antiseptic) which gives it its distinctive taste.
The concentration of thymol increases when thyme starts to flower. This herb is used both fresh and dried; although some people prefer using fresh leaves over dried because they think that they retain better flavor this way However, while dried thyme has a longer shelf life, fresh thyme is better for your health.
Thyme can be used in a variety of ways:
as an ingredient in meat and fish dishes; or when preparing soups, stews, sauces, or chowders; and also with beans and dense-fleshed vegetables (like eggplant and potatoes). When cooking meals involving thyme make sure you do not overcook it otherwise all the nutrients will evaporate along with flavor.
Thyme Nutrition:
Per 100 grams edible part
Calories: 136.9
Fat: 1.0 g
Protein: 3.4 g
Carbohydrate: 38.8 g
Dietary fiber: 23.4 g
Thiamin (B1): 0.09 mg
Riboflavin (B2): 0.08 mg
Niacin: 2.7 mg
Pantothenic Acid: 1.0 mg
Thyme is an excellent source of Vitamin A, Thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Pantothenic acid, Iron, and Manganese. It’s also rich in dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, and Copper. Furthermore, it contains Calcium pantothenate which aids in the formation of Coenzyme-A that is essential for numerous vital biochemical reactions that support innumerable metabolic processes.
We need about 2 g of fiber each day for proper bowel function; however, women should eat at least 21 g while men require 30 g daily to prevent constipation. This herb provides you with a hefty 23% of the daily value of dietary fiber!
Besides being great natural laxative thyme is good for your skin—thyme oil contains carvacrol which is a fungicidal and bactericidal compound so it heals burns, acne, eczema, and may even help reduce scarring.
thyme tea side effects:
As always, make sure you drink thyme tea in moderation. Ingesting too much can result in stomach upset, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Some people may be allergic to the essential oils found in this herb so those with known allergies to other members of the mint family should avoid using it. Inform your doctor if you’re pregnant because there’s limited information about safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Thyme oil contains a compound that might slow blood clotting; therefore if you’re going under surgery or dental work consult your physician before taking thyme tea as it might increase the risk of bleeding.
thyme tea for weight loss:
Thyme tea is purported to have appetite-suppressant properties so if you’re looking for a natural way to lose weight thyme might be helpful.
However, it’s not really that effective for this purpose because
1) the number of antioxidants in thyme is too low to provide substantial benefits
2) there isn’t enough research on humans testing thyme as an appetite suppressant.
This herb has been used for centuries but still, scientists can’t determine all possible side effects and interactions between thyme and other drugs or herbs before recommending its regular use. If you plan on taking thyme while pregnant talk to your doctor first because while it shows some antioxidant activity there isn’t enough evidence yet proving its safety during pregnancy.
thyme medicinal uses:
It’s commonly known that thyme contains thymol which is responsible for its characteristic taste and smell. This compound also has antiseptic properties so thyme was used to treat respiratory tract ailments—like bronchitis, coughs, asthma, pneumonia, etc.